Did "Jack Tripper" kind of hurt John Ritter? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 01-22-2017, 04:11 AM

Did the popularity of John Ritter's character "Jack Tripper" on Three's Company harm his later career? Granted, while Three's Company pretty much launched his career (had it not been for that, Ritter quite possibly would be primarily known for being Rev. Matthew Fordwick in The Waltons) in the very first place, there was also likely a sense that he became typecast. That's a danger of any popular TV show.

From my understanding, after Three's Company and the spin-off Three's a Crowd, he had to take small roles in independent films to get his name out there. This isn't necessarily always a bad thing however as that's how you hone your craft. And John Ritter did have two more series (Hooperman and Hearts Afire) albeit short-lived. An had John not passed away when he did, who knows how many more seasons 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter could've lasted.

Lyverbe · 01-22-2017, 09:11 AM

I don't think it did, at least not as much as Batman hurt Adam West or Ginger hurt Tina Louise. Compared to these examples, Ritter still had good acting jobs elsewhere as a different character.

JSP · 01-23-2017, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lyverbe

I don't think it did, at least not as much as Batman hurt Adam West or Ginger hurt Tina Louise. Compared to these examples, Ritter still had good acting jobs elsewhere as a different character.

Yeah, Ritter avoided typecasting compared to most sitcom stars. Tripper was his biggest role, but he was always working, and doing things miles apart from Jack Tripper post-Threes Company. People like Bob Denver never got that luxury.

Heenan Fan · 01-29-2017, 02:52 PM

I don't think so. John was too talented to be typecast.

Dianne3 · 02-01-2017, 04:21 PM

I'm curious here, did anyone here see John Ritter on the Waltons?

He first appeared in 1972, a few episodes into the series. It was the only episode that was about his character. Rev. Fordwick raged about sin back in 1972. I wonder what he would of thought about Jack Tripper. After his initial appearace, he only appeared on the Waltons whenever the minister was needed.

It wasn't until a few years later that John Ritter guested on comedy shows. He also played a minister on the Mary Tyler Moore show. He played a jerk on Rhoda.

Retro4Life · 02-01-2017, 04:48 PM

Nah, he was always working and not always in Jack Tripper type roles. He starred in "Hero at Large" (an underrated feel good movie from 1980) and "Skin Deep", also underrated, in 1989. He had the Hearts Afire show in the early 1990s, and other roles, including a great turn in "Sling Blade."

I never heard him talk much about his role in Three's Company; I wonder if he ever thought it held him back or not?

JackJanetChrissy · 02-01-2017, 06:59 PM

No, I don't think he was typecast. I do think Three's Company was his best work, though. He was a genius at physical comedy and TC allowed him to show that. His later acting roles, as successful as they were, did not show him doing what he did best. If he had allowed himself to become typecast (be a physical comic a la Jack Tripper), he probably would have been a much bigger star.

Torgo · 02-01-2017, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

Nah, he was always working and not always in Jack Tripper type roles. He starred in "Hero at Large" (an underrated feel good movie from 1980) and "Skin Deep", also underrated, in 1989. He had the Hearts Afire show in the early 1990s, and other roles, including a great turn in "Sling Blade."

I never heard him talk much about his role in Three's Company; I wonder if he ever thought it held him back or not?

Re watched Hero At Large not too long ago. I agree, underrated.

He was also excellent, and really showed off his comedic timing in Bad Santa, yes John was a great psychical comedian, but there was more to his comedy skill than falling down, Bad Santa proved that.

JackJanetChrissy · 02-02-2017, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torgo

Re watched Hero At Large not too long ago. I agree, underrated.

He was also excellent, and really showed off his comedic timing in Bad Santa, yes John was a great psychical comedian, but there was more to his comedy skill than falling down, Bad Santa proved that.

I agree, he was great in Bad Santa. Love that movie. I think his genius was in his timing, which is what lifts physical comedy from "falling down" to an art form. Take the era silent movies, for example--Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton were two geniuses. No shame in being a physical comedian if you're good at it.

Heenan Fan · 02-08-2017, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dianne3

I'm curious here, did anyone here see John Ritter on the Waltons?

He first appeared in 1972, a few episodes into the series. It was the only episode that was about his character. Rev. Fordwick raged about sin back in 1972. I wonder what he would of thought about Jack Tripper. After his initial appearace, he only appeared on the Waltons whenever the minister was needed.

It wasn't until a few years later that John Ritter guested on comedy shows. He also played a minister on the Mary Tyler Moore show. He played a jerk on Rhoda.

Other than having a crush on the daughters when I was a kid, I couldn't stand The Walton's. Still don't like the show now either.

Mace Dolex · 03-09-2017, 08:08 PM

Another film he did in 1987 called Real Men with Jim Belushi, although a total dud I still watch it from time to time.

And of course the Problem Child films he did in the 90's although dumb are saved by Ritter's performance.

Retro4Life · 03-09-2017, 08:20 PM

I forgot about "Hooperman" on TV, and his neat turn in "Bride of Chucky".

visaman666 · 03-10-2017, 12:28 AM

I worked with John Ritter on the film Stay Tuned 1992. Well, worked with is a stretch, I was an extra. John was very gracious to us. But, I did notice that he wasn't looking right.

Mace Dolex · 03-10-2017, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by visaman666

I worked with John Ritter on the film Stay Tuned 1992. Well, worked with is a stretch, I was an extra. John was very gracious to us. But, I did notice that he wasn't looking right.

Really? maybe you caught him in a moment of exhaustion on the set.

Retro4Life · 03-10-2017, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mace Dolex

Really? maybe you caught him in a moment of exhaustion on the set.

Yeah, given the fact he didn't die until eleven years after "Stay Tuned", I'd say it's unlikely whatever was up had anything at all to do with his demise.

01-22-2017, 04:11 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 126,812	Did "Jack Tripper" kind of hurt John Ritter? Did the popularity of John Ritter's character "Jack Tripper" on Three's Company harm his later career? Granted, while Three's Company pretty much launched his career (had it not been for that, Ritter quite possibly would be primarily known for being Rev. Matthew Fordwick in The Waltons) in the very first place, there was also likely a sense that he became typecast. That's a danger of any popular TV show. From my understanding, after Three's Company and the spin-off Three's a Crowd, he had to take small roles in independent films to get his name out there. This isn't necessarily always a bad thing however as that's how you hone your craft. And John Ritter did have two more series (Hooperman and Hearts Afire) albeit short-lived. An had John not passed away when he did, who knows how many more seasons 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter could've lasted.

02-01-2017, 04:48 PM	#6
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	Nah, he was always working and not always in Jack Tripper type roles. He starred in "Hero at Large" (an underrated feel good movie from 1980) and "Skin Deep", also underrated, in 1989. He had the Hearts Afire show in the early 1990s, and other roles, including a great turn in "Sling Blade." I never heard him talk much about his role in Three's Company; I wonder if he ever thought it held him back or not?
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

01-22-2017, 09:11 AM	#2
Lyverbe Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 21, 2007 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 284	I don't think it did, at least not as much as Batman hurt Adam West or Ginger hurt Tina Louise. Compared to these examples, Ritter still had good acting jobs elsewhere as a different character.

01-29-2017, 02:52 PM	#4
Heenan Fan Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Oct 19, 2016 Posts: 6,001	I don't think so. John was too talented to be typecast.

02-01-2017, 04:21 PM	#5
Dianne3 Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 07, 2002 Posts: 1,059	I'm curious here, did anyone here see John Ritter on the Waltons? He first appeared in 1972, a few episodes into the series. It was the only episode that was about his character. Rev. Fordwick raged about sin back in 1972. I wonder what he would of thought about Jack Tripper. After his initial appearace, he only appeared on the Waltons whenever the minister was needed. It wasn't until a few years later that John Ritter guested on comedy shows. He also played a minister on the Mary Tyler Moore show. He played a jerk on Rhoda.

02-01-2017, 06:59 PM	#7
JackJanetChrissy Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 18, 2014 Posts: 1,005	No, I don't think he was typecast. I do think Three's Company was his best work, though. He was a genius at physical comedy and TC allowed him to show that. His later acting roles, as successful as they were, did not show him doing what he did best. If he had allowed himself to become typecast (be a physical comic a la Jack Tripper), he probably would have been a much bigger star.

03-09-2017, 08:08 PM	#11
Mace Dolex Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 12, 2013 Posts: 2,670	Another film he did in 1987 called Real Men with Jim Belushi, although a total dud I still watch it from time to time. And of course the Problem Child films he did in the 90's although dumb are saved by Ritter's performance.

03-09-2017, 08:20 PM	#12
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	I forgot about "Hooperman" on TV, and his neat turn in "Bride of Chucky".

03-10-2017, 12:28 AM	#13
visaman666 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 06, 2007 Posts: 818	I worked with John Ritter on the film Stay Tuned 1992. Well, worked with is a stretch, I was an extra. John was very gracious to us. But, I did notice that he wasn't looking right.